Category: Heart Surgery

Tracy's story

Submitted by Kelly Galler on Tue, 2010-03-30 13:14

Tracy is an advocate for the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women. Listen to her story, as a young women of 40, needing to go through heart surgery.

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Ask Kelly question about back pain and aortic dissection

Submitted by Kelly Galler on Tue, 2009-09-08 13:08

Ask Kelly question:

Hi, 14 years ago I had a spontaneous dissection of the LAD descending. August 23rd of this year I had horrible building pain in my upper back. Shortness of breath, nausea and sweating. I thought it was just my back. Before I got upstairs to lie down my chest started hurting. So, I took an aspirin, because that happens often. However, in several minutes ALL pain was gone. I was shocked because the back pain had me in tears, I had taken a T3 two hours earlier to no effect. I have pain in my back daily now and an aspirin usually takes care of it.

My cardiologist wants me to get a CT scan, but I am not insurable because of my first attack. I am, female and 55 years old. It seems my symptoms indicate a dissection of the aorta, is this possible?

What exactly does it mean?

My doctor was too busy berating me for not quitting smoking and not having insurance to explain. Also, I am under stress because my husband has a few mental illnesses with BIG control issues. Thank you.

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Video: See mitral valve repair surgery in real life

Submitted by Kelly Galler on Thu, 2009-08-13 10:18

Ever want to see what heart surgery is really like? Well get ready to take the journey with Dr. Steven Gerndt from Green Bay Cardiothoracic and Vascular!

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